Armed Drug Dealer Locked-Up

A small-time cannabis dealer – caught with a loaded revolver when police raided his North London home – is starting a five-year prison sentence.

Ben Ashley, 23, (pictured) of All Saints Close, Edmonton had the firearm on his living-room shelf when officers executed a search warrant on August 20.

The Met's Central Task Force – which specialises in hunting firearms and drug dealers - had targeted Ashley.

He pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to possession of a firearm and possession of nine rounds of ammunition loaded in the gun, plus two rounds wrapped in black plastic.

Ashley also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, with intent to supply, after a quantity of the drug, plus self-seal plastic bags and scales were seized in the kitchen.

Passports taken during a local burglary were also found and the defendant admitted receiving stolen goods.

Detective Inspection Rob Murray said: “This significant sentence was the result of a successful operation by the Central Task Force and highlights our commitment to combating this type of serious criminality which blights communities.”